Readers sound off on green jobs, opening the economy and murderer hornets

Regrow a strong, green economy

North Babylon, L.I.: State Sen. Todd Kaminsky makes it clear, in his welcomed op-ed, that a solution to our economic woes, post the COVID-19 crisis, is an environmental one (“Revive NY’s economy with green jobs,” April 29): Pump the green economy to create new jobs from wind port worker to solar installer, unionized and well-paying. Under Gov. Cuomo, we have achieved laws both to require a move to a carbon-free future, and to expedite siting of renewable energy plants, both building blocks of this developing Green New Deal.

But in order for it to work, we must stop putting money into extracting fossil fuels, and put all of our efforts into developing renewable energy sources like wind, solar and the batteries that support them. Let us call on Sen. Chuck Schumer to stop the massive federal support of extractive fuel companies. It’s long past time to restructure our economy by simply leaving old-style fuel in the ground. There is room in the new economy for those workers. Alexa Marinos

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Caught on video

West New York, N.J.: It was upsetting and a bit ironic that the policeman involved in the social distancing arrest was not wearing a mask nor was he gloved (“SEE IT: NYPD cop making arrest for social distancing violation punches and takes down bystander,” May 3). Arrest for marijuana? Are we back in the 70s? Ken Ludmer

Voted off the island

Astoria: Why hasn’t state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker been fired yet? His agency forced nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients under threat of litigation if they refused, possibly contributing to the deaths of hundreds of seniors across the state. He advised Gov. Cuomo to ration ventilators back in 2015 instead of replenishing the stockpile. His agency pushed a change in EMS policy whereby emergency medical technicians could no longer perform CPR on cardiac cases for the required by law 20 minutes, before reversing himself under public pressure. Yet this guy somehow still has a job and I have to watch him with his look of concern when his infomercial airs on TV every hour. This guy needs to go, Cuomo. He’s an incompetent buffoon. What are you waiting for? Sebastian Mannuzza

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In times of crisis

Margate, Fla.: It is clear from his venomous statement lambasting the hard-working coronavirus fighting members of Samaritan’s Purse that no American GI would ever want to be in a foxhole with New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. While everyone else in the foxhole was defending against incoming fire, Johnson would have his gun in his lap lecturing everyone around him about diversity training. Richard Sherman

Road rules

Merrick, L.I.: There are many more pedestrians and bicycle riders on the streets during this time. If you are driving a vehicle, please pay extra attention and drive slowly. Children are not always aware of their surroundings. Curtis Izen

Side of greens

Scranton, Pa.: I recently learned that dandelions are not weeds and are actually very nutritious. They can be eaten in salads or boiled for a side dish. Nobody in my neighborhood should be going hungry for a while. If the food pantries run low, a full belly is only a yard away. Vin Morabito

Cherrypicker

Middle Village: To Voicer Joanne Urban: I am very happy that the heavily armed protesters in Michigan and in several other states didn’t shoot anyone. But that still does not make it okay that white privilege is alive and well and that you can try to intimidate people by holding semiautomatic weapons with no consequences from the police. I am so glad that you justify your claims by pointing to bad actors, but the fact remains that police react unfairly to protests like Black Lives Matter. Funny how you did not mention Charlottesville, where the police stood by and allowed alt-right and Nazi protesters to have a weekend of evil and mayhem. People died there, but you did not point that out. I’m pointing out the obvious optics of racism and you proved my point. Samantha Papaccio

Maller v. Salah

Middle Village: To Voicer Christine Salah: I must respond with resounding disgust. Do you think this is a joke? How dare you support large gatherings not following social distancing rules such as the Hasidic Jewish funerals? This is a worldwide pandemic. Your decisions directly affect other people’s health and welfare! You aren’t afraid of getting the coronavirus, good for you. But all you have to do is look at the number of people who are hospitalized, intubated, and have passed away — human beings who had lives, loves and the right to exist in a world where selfish people like you don’t infect them. What about all the first responders who risk their lives? Your irresponsibility puts them at risk! Shame on you! Go to work — I’d rather tell you where to go! Susan Maller

Decisions, decisions

Brooklyn: I would like to know who decided which businesses and jobs are essential and which ones aren’t. Every job is an essential job. Every business is an essential business. Why can’t dentists, optometrists, dog groomers or barbers be open? They can easily follow social distancing guidelines. Hey Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Bozo: None of your doomsday predictions came true. Re-open now! Mike Mevengo

Take a bow

Whitestone: Lord Cuomo has been wrong about everything so far. He was wrong about the number of ventilators New York needed. He was wrong about the number of hospital beds needed. He was wrong in ordering the elderly to be sent from hospitals back to nursing homes. He was wrong about the number of deaths during the apex week. He cannot control a state budget that collects taxes from the highest-paid taxpayers in the country and was overspent long before the pandemic. Now he wants the federal government to bail out the state and the city which has been run almost into bankruptcy due to the wonderful mayor we have. When we get the state back up and running, I cannot imagine the tax increases we will all endure to get the state back on track financially. Great job, Lord Cuomo! Eugene O’Brien

Taken for granted

White Plains, N.Y.: This pandemic has reminded me that some of the things I once viewed as ordinary are really quite extraordinary. Stephanie Hoina

Good business

Brooklyn: I find it coincidental that the same China that spread this virus is home to the same people selling us the masks, ventilators, testing kits etc. to fight the virus. Hmm...something to think about. Alan Kesler

Chuggermuggers

Ozone Park: What? Now we have to literally watch our backs, as the killer hornets threaten us. This is, hopefully, just a fantastic plot for a “B” movie. Ray Hackinson